Chapter 6

***

In this world, one cannot know their 'true talent' until they undergo a characteristic test.

Even if one shows exceptional ability in a specific field from childhood, it is quite common for it to be unrelated to their actual talent.

Therefore, even noble families with high status do not delve deeply into a specific area of education for their children.

Instead, they focus on accumulating mana, consistently practicing basic physical training, and acquiring a wide range of knowledge.

They acquire 'basic skills' across numerous fields.

For the majority, this means they are not specialized in any particular area before they reach adulthood.

This is why the 'Grand Royal Academy,' where one can enroll after confirming their characteristics, is special in itself.

...Because there is a huge difference between starting to learn and understand one's characteristics and the time before that.

In short, life truly begins after confirming one's characteristics.

And that is why.

Everyone feels 'anxiety' until they become adults and undergo the characteristic test.

—They cannot know their future.

The path they should take.

How they should proceed in the future is all uncertain.

Even with a fully formed self as an adult, not knowing the future.

It causes significant anxiety and worry for anyone.

...

"...Self?"

Glesia looked at Cheonseong, who repeated the word blankly, with a calm gaze.

The reason for wanting to go to the academy with a seemingly insignificant characteristic, which she couldn't understand, was somewhat resolved after hearing the answer.

Then, the next question.

How can this man, who possesses only a common sword technique, have such 'confidence' and strive forward?

How can he move forward?

This question still remained.

"I happened to hear you at the training ground. You said you would 'go with confidence.'"

"...You heard that?"

"I just happened to. I heard it."

While answering, Glesia felt a bit embarrassed.

It was awkward to have eavesdropped on someone's conversation. She was aware of the man's incredulous gaze but did not avoid his eyes.

She needed to understand.

Why this man could have such confidence and move forward.

He could converse calmly and maintain a composed demeanor even with someone who has a higher characteristic.

This 'attitude' itself was special.

And she felt it was something she needed as well.

I already know that 'monsters' with characteristics far beyond mine will enter the academy.

For example, Leonhardt, who is rumored to have a Legendary-grade characteristic.

There are also other students with high characteristics.

In front of such people, even my Unique characteristic would pale in comparison.

I believed there was something I could learn from this man.

"But. That's a very abstract question."

"I just want to know how you can have confidence."

When I said this again, Cheonseong burst into a hollow laugh.

"So, you're saying that the question itself is too abstract. Confidence isn't something that can be taught, right?"

"...That's true, but—"

"No, that's not it. From my perspective, it's like this. If you have high self-esteem, confidence naturally follows."

The man's words were extremely correct.

"Glesia, to put it bluntly, do I look nervous when I'm with you?"

Shaking my head blankly at his confident tone, I recalled how he had confidently presented himself in front of multiple examiners in the examination room.

Even now, facing me, he showed no signs of tension or hesitation.

"...No, you don't."

"Right? I don't find you intimidating, and we're just having a conversation. Regardless of our characteristics, that's how I think."

He met my gaze directly, and my mind became complicated.

'Regardless of characteristics?'

How is that possible?

With a common sword technique, this man appeared calm.

In this world, characteristics are everything.

One plans their future path and way of life through their characteristics.

Therefore, the grade of one's characteristic is equivalent to their 'value' as a person.

Cheonseong clearly had a common characteristic.

And it was the lowest grade.

"..."

I began to look at the man with a sense of curiosity.

His peculiar hairstyle, black eyes, and even his name, Cheonseong, were all different.

Yet, he was at ease even while meeting my gaze, despite my Unique characteristic.

"From your expression, it seems you don't understand at all."

"To be honest, I don't. Cheonseong, how can you be so calm with me? And how can you strive so hard with a common sword technique...?"

"The first part is true, but the second part is different. Effort is a 'basic' thing."

I blinked blankly at his words.

"Effort is a basic thing?"

"You have a Unique characteristic, so it's hard for you to understand. For a common characteristic, even if you put in effort, the efficiency is low, and the level progresses slowly. Even if I say effort is a basic thing, it might sound strange to you."

I nodded blankly, as if he had read my thoughts.

'For a common, effort is meaningless.'

The higher the characteristic grade, the faster the level progression generally is.

Higher-grade characteristics provide more detailed and intricate concepts. Conversely, lower-grade characteristics provide shallow and thin concepts, leading to much slower growth.

It's surprising that a man with a common characteristic is at the same 'level 3' as me, but the gap will only widen in the future.

"Glesia, that's why I said effort is a basic thing for me."

I exhaled softly at the man's calm response.

Now, I understood him even less than before.

"But, even if you put in effort, it will only get harder for you in the future. My effort and your effort are 'completely' different."

The man said effort is a basic thing, but from the start, we were on different starting lines.

My starting line is much further ahead than his.

And the speed at which we progress will be entirely different.

Even if I walk, for a man with a common characteristic, it will be like I'm running fast, and the gap will be impossible to close.

"...Right. As you said, it will definitely be different."

The man nodded and smiled, seeming to understand my words but remaining calm.

"But that's not all."

"Not all...?"

"Of course, I will be slower than you. I'll need several times more effort. At least 4 to 5 times more, considering the grade difference. But it's still possible if I put in the effort."

Despite recognizing the significant difference, the man was telling me it was possible.

If effort is supported, it can bridge the seemingly impossible gap...

I swallowed involuntarily and looked at the man again.

'Different.'

He was clearly different from anyone else I had seen.

Others would have been discouraged by a common characteristic, realized the difference, and given up on entering the academy early.

It's hard to endure seeing someone with a higher characteristic and shining talent.

Everyone knows this.

The difference between them and oneself.

And the wall of reality.

Yet, this man was confident even while acknowledging everything.

If there is a difference, he would put in more effort to bridge it.

Even with a low grade, it's possible...

I found myself unconsciously expecting an answer from this man.

"..."

After his last words, I watched the man lost in thought without saying anything.

How long did I wait for an answer?

The man spoke again.

"Of course, I also wished for a higher-grade characteristic. I can't say I don't still wish for it. But this is my reality now."

"Reality..."

"I can't change the sword technique I have now, no matter how much I want to. 'Reality' doesn't change. So, I just accepted it. I'm just doing my best in the current situation."

The man's calm demeanor, even more so than when he demonstrated his skills in the examination room, made him seem extraordinary to me.

He was given a low common characteristic.

Yet, his thoughts and mindset transcended that common characteristic.

It felt like he understood a lot.

And suddenly, my sister's image overlapped with the man's.

—Glesia, you'll gradually understand. Why you have to choose and why you need to understand. 'Reality' is something you can't always reject, even if you know it.

The times I spent with my sister.

Occasionally, she would say incomprehensible things.

Now, my sister, who is on the front lines, appeared before my eyes.

My sister definitely talked about 'reality.'

'Could this man...?'

I couldn't understand it.

A man with an insignificant characteristic reminding me of what my sister said.

"Well, my words were a bit long, but in short, I don't deny reality. I just accept myself as I am and put in effort. It's natural that you find it hard to understand me now. We are different, after all."

"...Right. We are very different."

As I answered, I thought again.

I can't be the same as a common characteristic.

Even as I thought this, my gaze couldn't leave Cheonseong.

This man seemed to have a secret I didn't know.

His appearance, personality, and actions, even his name, were all extraordinary.

Just his characteristic was low.

Everything else about him was extraordinary, making him distinctly different from others.

—Special.

"Still, you want to understand me, right? That's why you wanted to have a conversation with me."

With a slightly light tone, I nodded.

"Yes. I wanted to understand you. That's why I wanted to have a conversation."

"Then, what should we do... It's hard to explain in words, but there is definitely a way to understand me."

I blinked at his unexpected words.

"There is a way to understand you?"

"Yes."

The man's confident response made my heart race.

Thump.

'There is a way.'

And it seemed to have a significant connection to my sister.

A key to approach my sister, whom I can't see now. It felt like this man had it.

"Glesia, are you curious about the method?"

I was already answering the man's strangely phrased question.

"...Yes. Tell me."

So, unlike before, I had to change my attitude towards the man.

Putting aside his common sword technique. There was something I lacked that this man had.

Therefore, I had to understand 'that.'

"The method is simple."

But... I tilted my head involuntarily at the man's immediate response.

"Simple?"

It doesn't seem simple at all.

The man spoke as if it were very easy.